Sierra Nevada & Alpujarras
Mountain Bike descent

Amazing mid-summer mountain biking in Spain's southernmost mountains. Unknown trails, forests, mountains, waterfalls, some single track, remote areas & including Europe's longest downhill! Designed for experienced mountain bikers.

Fact File:

Trip outline:
Our route through these mountains is unique as we criss-cross West to East & North to South across the mountains. The Sierra Nevada National Park ranges from 700m to 3,400+m. and includes incredibly diverse vegetation & scenery - from the southern Alpujarras valleys down to the shining Mediterranean sea to the barren deserts of Almeria and the plains of Granada. The region is covered by a network of dirt tracks & trails roads, some such as 'the Iceman's Trail' dating back hundreds of years from the times when muleteers carried ice down to the royal palaces in the Alhambra. Other trails have been built to reach forest plantations or hydro-electric schemes. We spend 4 nights in the central Sierra Nevada region close to the ski resort in a country hotel in the tree line. The last 3 nights are spent in the eastern Sierra Nevada in an old muleteers Inn from where we ride out into the forest & valleys.

Biking Profile:
Our biking varies between long trails that wind their way along smooth contour lines between pine forests and green valleys, and long descents from the high peaks to the valley floor including one day where we descend over 2,700 vertical metres. There is the option of some single track & some days can be varied to add in more if necessary. Although we use support vehicles to get us as high as possible there are 2 long climbs of over 500m.vert. This trip is designed for experienced mountain bikers who like a challenge but it is not extreme. 6 days riding, average 40km/day, 70% vehicle support.

The Scenery & The Alhambra:
The scenery is constantly varied - remains of ancient glaciations have left various picturesque lagoons, while streams & rivers course their way down the mountain, and this wild upland region is home to eagles, goshawks and curly horned chamois. Apart from enjoying some of Europe's best riding, we can also visit the Alhambra Palaces in Granada and enjoy such diverse activities as a visit to a high altitude ham-curing farm or the opportunity to be pulled on your bike by husky dogs through the pine woods!

Example Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive Malaga or Granada airports. Transfer to hotel. Enjoy a swim in the pool with views across the forests & mountains! Welcome drinks & Dinner. Hotel. 4 nights.

Day 2 The Icemans Trail. Breakfast. Transfer (20mins.) to the statue of the ‘Virgin of the Snows’ (2,700m.) & warm-up ride to Borreguiles followed by descent on a mix of road/off-road to El Purche. Lunch followed by descent on single trail to Cenes de la Vega. Return transfer to hotel. Support 50%. 60% off road. 44km. Altitude descent: 1,700m.

Day 3 The Bakers Trail, the Alhambra Palaces & the Caves of Sacramonte. Click to Detailed itinerary of todays ride. Breakfast. Transfer to the Pradollano area of the ski resort. Ride westward towards Pico del Tesoro & Trevenque on zig-zag trails. Some single track. Picnic lunch Cortichuela mountain refuge and continue ride to La Zubia. Ride from here up to Alhambra Placaes. Option of visiting Palaces or a ride up the 'Silla del Moro' & into the Sacromonte Caves district. Finish ride in central Granada. Drinks, return transfer (25min.) & dinner. SV 30%. Bakers Trail - 30km. 100% off road. Alhambra ride - 18km. 20% off road. Altitude descent: 1,600m.

Day 4 Crossing into the Alpujarras & 2,725m. of vertical descent. Breakfast. Transfer to the ‘Virgin of the Snows’ (20mins.) at 2,600m. 5km. ride uphill on the old tarmac road (easy gradient) over ‘Collado del Veleta’. Weeks high point - 3,190m. Views to Mediterranean coastline & the high peaks. Superb riding on a wide dirt track. Picnic lunch & ride into Capileira (1,436m.). Continue ride through Bubion & Pampaneira. Finish ride in farming town of Orgiva. Beers under a grapevine terrace. Return transfer to hotel. SV 20%. 60% off road. 69km. Altitude descent: 2,725m.
Day 5 Beyond Sierra Nevada to Guadix. Breakfast. Depart hotel by bike, drop down into Genil valley & ride the old tramway to Güejar Sierra. Ride off road to Cerro Tamboril past old marble quarries. At 1,950m. enjoy a snack stop before riding sweeping downhills into the valley through shady pine forests & along the poplar lined Alhama river. Barbecue lunch in Tocón before ride through the forests of the Marquesado del Zenete to La Peza. Transfer to Puerto de la Ragua.Dinner. SV 50%. 70% off-road. 63km. Altitude descent: 1,500m. Hotel 3 nights.

Day 6 Forest trails of the Alpujarras. Breakfast. Opitonal warm up ride to the Puerto de la Ragua. Ride on south flanks of Sierra Nevada into Alpujarras region. View wierd ochre & pink landscape below us. Quality riding on a mixture of good quality forest tracks. Predominantly contouring today & downhill. Ibex, peregrine falcons & kestrels are a common sight. Finish ride in white Alpujereño village with option of extra riding back towards hotel. Village visits. Return transfer to hotel. Dinner. SV 80%. Off road 90%. 65km. Altitude descent: 1,600m.

Day 7 The Crusaders Trail to La Calahorra Castle. Breakfast. Optional warm-up ride to Puerto de la Ragua. Ripping downhill off road through heavy pine forest contouring the mountain. Views north across Guadix plain. Picnic next to mountain stream. Ride to Jerez del Marquesado & into orchards of apple & olive woods. Refreshment stop in Jerez & continue ride to La Calahorra castle. Relax & view castle before transfer to Hotel. PM options of horse riding, & husky dog sledging (using your bikes!). Farewell dinner. SV 100%. 44km. Off road 70%. Altitude descent: 1,600m.

Day 8 Breakfast. Transfer to Malaga airport & end itinerary.